Sliema is a lovely town on a peninsula overlooking Valletta. Once a small fishing village, Sliema became the summer retreat for Valletta’s wealthy residents. The streets and building reflect the affluence of those times. Unfortunately many of the original buildings along the water front have disappeared and their places have been taken by hotels and apartments. Some of the Victorian and art nouveau architecture survives in the streets further inland. In common with most of Malta’s beaches, Sliema lacks sand but there is no paucity of water sports. A wide palm strewn promenade runs for five kilometres along the shoreline behind which are many first class hotels and apartments. There are eateries to satisfy all tastes and pockets and very good provision of shops. Nightlife here is low-key with an air of sophistication, and is provided by its hotels, restaurants and relaxing bars. A Sliema holiday offers an ideal base for those who enjoy sunbathing by a pool, participating in water sports and sightseeing.
Malta is a beautiful island with many popular, bustling fun-loving resorts with lively days and raucous nights. For those wishing to visit the island but wish to avoid this scene, Sliema is the destination to choose. Here you can enjoy your holiday in a charming town with a sophisticated atmosphere and wide ranging recreational activities.
A Sliema holiday mainly attracts those who wish to relax in pleasant surroundings where there are interesting sightseeing opportunities. It is an ideal base for exploring Valletta. The bay provides a good range of water sporting for those who like more active holidays.
Holidays to Malta can be taken at any time of year. The Sliema holiday summer season lasts from April until October when the temperatures in July and August can reach the mid thirties. Malta enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year where temperatures rarely dip below fifteen degrees. Even in winter, five and six hours of daily sunshine is common.
Sliema is a charming town which lies five kilometres from Valletta and has wonderful views of the capital’s shoreline. The flat rocky waterfront offers a range of water sports including wind and kite surfing, banana boating, water skiing and sailing. The rocky waters around the island offer ideal conditions for snorkelling and there is also a scuba diving school close by. Sliema has a good range of hotels, apartments and villas that provide excellent accommodation and a friendly service. The many cafes and restaurants serve a variety of traditional and international cuisine. Those who enjoy traditional Maltese cuisine will find many fine fish restaurants along the sea front. Sliema’s upmarket boutiques and specialist stores supply all your needs. Nightlife here is generally relaxing although it is possible to find lively venues.
Sliema is a good base from which to explore the wonderful fortified city of Valletta with the Grand Master’s Palace, St. Elmo’s Fort and the Cathedral of St. John.
Sliema nightlife is a fairly low-key and sophisticated affair. Evenings are spent in fine al fresco dining, drinking in relaxed bars and strolling along the promenade enjoying the cooler night air.
Sliema is a shopper’s delight with numerous exclusive boutiques and specialist shops. Popular purchases that make perfect mementoes are silver and gold filigree jewellery, Maltese lace, religious icons and ceramics.
Sliema has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes catering for even the most conservative of palates. There are many fine restaurants where you can savour Maltese specialities and a range of international cuisine. Fish dishes abound, the most popular being the lampuka or dolphin fish. The catch of the day special, fresh from the sea, is usually good value for money. Brogjoli, (we would call them beef olives) cooked in red wine and served with rice is a culinary delight.
